First Police Now Counter Terrorism officers attested at national academy

The Police Now training academy welcomed its largest cohort to date, including the inaugural group of trainees for the Counter Terrorism Policing stream, on Monday, March 18th.

A total of 229 aspiring detective constables have begun a rigorous 13-week training program at the academy, marking a groundbreaking expansion of the National Detective Programme.

This diverse group of recruits is set to undertake a comprehensive curriculum designed to equip them with essential policing and investigative skills. Their training journey will culminate in the challenging National Investigators’ Exam, after which they will be deployed across England and Wales. Over a two-year period, these trainees will gain invaluable frontline experience, supporting victims of crime and tackling complex cases within their respective Criminal Investigation Departments.

Chief Constable Trevor Rodenhurst extended a warm welcome to the new recruits, emphasising the public’s expectations of a high-quality police service and the importance of courage, compassion, and integrity in their roles. He highlighted the value of diversity within the cohort and encouraged the trainees to support one another throughout their policing journey.

A notable segment of this year’s cohort, 75 trainees, will specialise in Counter Terrorism Policing with the Metropolitan Police Service during their second year. This specialised training will focus on protecting the UK from serious threats by preventing, deterring, and investigating terrorist activities.

The distribution of officers across the partner forces is as follows:

• Devon and Cornwall Police – 20
• Gwent Police – 16
• Hertfordshire Constabulary – 22
• Humberside Police – 20
• The Metropolitan Police Service, Counter Terrorism Policing – 75
• Staffordshire Police – 39
• Thames Valley Police – 12
• West Mercia Police – 13
• Wiltshire Police – 12

Police Now, recognised as a Times Top 100 Graduate Employer, continues to attract diverse talent to the policing profession, with a significant proportion of recruits being women and individuals from Black, Asian, and minority ethnic backgrounds. Remarkably, 67% of the new trainees identify as female, 15% come from a Black, Asian, or minority ethnic background, and 71% had not considered a career in policing prior to learning about Police Now. This cohort represents a critical step forward in enhancing the diversity, skillset, and effectiveness of the police force in England and Wales.